UFC 309: The bogeyman Jon Jones won’t mention as heavyweight champ drops bombshell on his future

Jon Jones is already imagining what’s next if he beats Stipe Miocic this weekend – UFC kingpins, exhibition bouts, jiu-jitsu tournaments. But not the one fight everyone wants: Tom Aspinall.

If he beats Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 this weekend, Jon Jones could make the shock decision to relinquish the heavyweight title and pursue big-money super-fights.

Alternatively, he might consider retirement, or make the switch to boxing.

A potential blockbuster with former UFC heavyweight kingpin Francis Ngannou – who now fights under the PFL banner – is also an option.

Speaking to the media at the Hilton Hotel in New York three days before his showdown with Miocic, Jones even mentioned Jamahal Hill and Alex Pereira as possible future opponents.

UFC 309: JONES VS MIOCIC | Heavyweight champion and all-time great Jon Jones will defend his title against former champion Stipe Miocic | SUN 17 NOV 2PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.

Heavyweight knockout artist Derrick Lewis is apparently also in the conversation as Jones hints at following in the footsteps of his mate Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and just “fighting for fun.”

Exhibition bouts around the world, and jiu-jitsu tournaments were even on the menu.

The options are endless for Jones, but in 13 minutes of talking, he never once mentioned the man every MMA fan in the world really wants him to fight: England’s interim champion, Tom Aspinall.

Jones even walked out on a scheduled media day interview on Wednesday in The Big Apple because he didn’t want to talk about the Englishman.

Aspinall, who is in town as the back-up fighter for the main event at Madison Square Garden, has become the bogeyman.

“Right now the goal is to get through Stipe Miocic,” Jones said. “Stipe is the best fighter ever.

“I just got out of a press conference a minute ago and the whole conversation was about, ‘What am I going to do next?’

“I’ve never really been an athlete to look past an opponent, but right now I feel like I’m doing that a little bit.

“So as we get closer to the fight, I feel like I need to narrow in on why I’m actually here, and that’s Stipe Miocic.”

Jon Jones flat out refused to mention Tom Aspinall. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Images via Getty Images

Looking fit and relaxed ahead of his first fight in two years, Jones cracked jokes as he reflected on his career and legacy, while attempting to narrow the focus onto former heavyweight champion Miocic.

But in the next breath, ‘Bones’ dropped his bombshell.

“I can see myself, after this, entertaining super fights only,” he suggested. “After this fight, if we get a dominant performance, I’m prepared to vacate the heavyweight championship and fight for fun.

“I’ve had a big chip on my shoulder my whole career having to defend, defend, defend (world titles).

“I don’t necessarily want it to be over, but I want to fight for fun.

“I think about one of my teammates, Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, he just fights. Win, lose or draw, he just fights.

“And I would love to experience that for the first time in my career.”

Jones says he’d be interested in a fight with Francis Ngannou. Picture: Mohammed Saad/Anadolu via Getty Images

And there are a few names on his hit-list – just not Aspinall.

“Jamahl Hill, me and him could meet up at 220 pounds and see what happens,” he said. “Derrick Lewis, the biggest knockout puncher in history.

“I’m just throwing out random names but I’m a body weight now where I can do fun fights.

“Let’s see if Dana allows me to do that or not.

“ (Ngannou) would be cool. He has the type of world fame that would keep things interesting for me, for sure.

“Dana’s also talking about getting into boxing. That could be fun. I just want to have fun with it.”

Jones raised the option of taking on current light-heavyweight champion Pereira, who has become one of the UFC’s biggest stars this year.

“There wouldn’t be a whole bunch of shit talking and negative energy and trash,” he said. “It’ll be a guy I actually really respect and like.

“I know he has so many fights where for him, it wouldn’t be anything personal. And for me, it wouldn’t be anything personal.

“We’re not best friends or anything like that, but we have a very respectful relationship with one another.”

Alex Pereira is a UFC superstar. Picture: Getty

Meanwhile, Jones says he didn’t request the UFC revert to the old gloves he’s worn his entire career, but is relieved they’ll be in use this weekend.

The UFC introduced a new glove in June, with fans and fighters suggesting the switch up led to fewer knockouts.

“I’ve put the new gloves on a few times and they’re very uncomfortable,” Jones said. “They’re a lot smaller than the original glove.

“The natural curve just feels funny.

“ (UFC big wig) Hunter (Campbell) called me a few days ago and told me he’s gonna put everybody on the card in the original glove and I was so grateful.

“Most of the guys on the card are veterans and we’re all used to a certain feel.

“To give us all that feeling, I’m very grateful.”

Originally published as UFC 309: The bogeyman Jon Jones won’t mention as heavyweight champ drops bombshell on his future